Floating gang channel/nut assembly

Abstract

A gang channel nut assembly permits nut plates held therein to be used even though the assembly channel is in contact with a stringer. The instant invention enlarges the fastener hole in the channel as well as slots on both sides of the channel and cuts a connecting slot between the hole and the slot sufficient to permit passage of a fastening screw or bolt. In this way the gang channel nut assembly still functions as originally intended that is, to positively retain the nut plates and align them in the channel, but permit the nut plates to be flexible or float transverse of the channel without falling out of the channel.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is: 
     
       1. A floating gang channel nut assembly comprising: a channel having at least one hole therein; and   at least one fastening device received by said channel movable transverse of the longitudinal axis of said channel and adapted for receiving a mating fastener through said hole, wherein the hole in said channel further comprises a central section in the bottom of said channel through which the fastener can extend, at least one slotted section along one side of said channel through which an edge portion of said fastening device can extend, and a connecting slot communicating between said central section and said slotted section through which at least a portion of the fastener can extend if the fastener is misaligned with said central section of said hole.   
     
     
       2. An assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said channel has a plurality of holes and a plurality of fastening devices received by said channel each movable transverse of the longitudinal axis of said channel and adapted for receiving a plurality of mating fasteners through a plurality of holes. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said hole in said channel further comprises a second slotted section along the opposite side of said channel through which an edge portion of said fastening device can extend, and a connecting slot communicating between said central section and said second slotted section through which at least a portion of the fastener can extend if the fastener is misaligned with said central section of said hole. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as described in claim 3 wherein said channel has a plurality of holes and a plurality of fastening devices received by said channel each movable transverse of the longitudinal axis of said channel and adapted for receiving a plurality of mating fasteners through a plurality of holes. 
     
     
       5. A floating gang channel nut assembly comprising: a channel having plurality of holes therein; and   a plurality of fastening devices received by said channel movable transverse of the longitudinal axis of said channel and adapted for receiving a plurality of mating fasteners through said holes, wherein each of said plurality of holes in said channel further comprises a central section in the bottom of said channel through which the fastener can extend, at least one slotted section along one side of said channel through which an edge portion of said fastening device can extend and a connecting slot communicating between said central section and said slotted section through which at least a portion of the fastener can extend if the fastener is misaligned with said central section of said hole.   
     
     
       6. An assembly as described in claim 5 wherein said hole in said channel further comprises a second slotted section along the opposite side of said channel through which an edge portion of said fastening device can extend, and a connecting slot communicating between said central section and said second slotted section through which at least a portion of the fastener can extend if the fastener is misaligned with said central section of said hole. 
     
     
       7. A floating gang channel nut assembly comprising: a. a channel having a bottom and opposed sides, said channel defining a plurality of shaped holes formed in the bottom and at least one side of said channel, and   b. a plurality of fastening devices received by said channel movable transverse of the longitudinal axis of said channel and adapted for receiving a plurality of mating fasteners through said holes such that at least one edge of said fastening devices protrudes through the side of said channel through said hole where necessary to receive said mating fasteners.   
     
     
       8. An assembly as described in claim 7 wherein a plurality of holes in said channel further comprises a central section in the bottom of said channel larger than cross section of the mating fasteners, at least one slotted section along one side of said channel for each of a plurality of such holes and a connecting slot communicating between said central section and said slotted section for each of a plurality of such holes for selectively permitting a portion of said fastening device to enter said slotted section at the side of said channel. 
     
     
       9. An assembly as described in claim 8 wherein said hole in said channel further comprises a second slotted section along the opposite side of said channel and a connecting slot communicating between said central section and said second slotted section for selectively permitting a portion of said fastening device to enter said second slotted section at the side of said channel. 
     
     
       10. An assembly as described in claim 9 wherein a plurality of said fastening device are threaded channel nuts.